Controlled discharge device associated with a device for pressurized distribution of fluid in a container

ABSTRACT

The controlled discharge device includes a discharge vent which opens out firstly into an area for distribution of pressurised fluid, and secondly into a closed enclosure with an upper wall comprising a discharge aperture which is surrounded by an upper seat for a discharge locking valve; and a discharge locking valve comprising a weighty valve in a discharge locking valve guide comprising a guide duct with a lower end which communicates with the discharge vent, and an upper end which is coaxial to the upper seat.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

For filling of containers to a constant level with a fluid which is distributed under pressure, filling spouts are known comprising: an annular connection part which is configured to provide a sealed support with a neck of a container, and to delimit a distribution area; a distribution duct which is connected to a source of supply of fluid under a distribution pressure by means of a distribution valve, and which opens out into the distribution area; a discharge vent which opens out firstly into the distribution area, and secondly according to an aperture for dispelling into the open air, and a controlled discharge device comprising a discharge locking valve which is controlled by a level of fluid in the discharge vent, interposed in the discharge vent between the distribution area and the aperture for dispelling into the open air. During the filling of a container, the air which is contained in the container is expelled by the fluid introduced into the container, and is discharged via the aperture for dispelling into the open air. When the fluid reaches the lower end of the discharge vent, the fluid rises in the discharge vent and gives rise to closure of the discharge locking valve. The distribution valve is then closed, and the container is separated from the annular connection part, such that the fluid which is contained in the discharge vent drops back into the container.

In order to prevent fluid from escaping via the aperture for dispelling into the open air, the discharge locking valve must be closed before the fluid reaches the seat of the discharge locking valve. For this purpose, the existing devices comprise a discharge locking valve which is associated with a float. When the container is separated from the annular connection part, the float continues to be supported by the fluid which is contained in the discharge vent. In addition, the force which is applied by the float generates forces of retention by capillarity at the interface between the discharge locking valve and its seat.

In addition, the quantity of fluid which rises in the discharge vent and then returns to the container depends on the volume of the float which assures the manoeuvre of closure of the discharge, locking valve. This causes a problem in that the fluid which is used to raise the float then returns to the container, and is liable to be polluted during its passage into the discharge vent. It is therefore desirable to minimise the volume of the discharge locking valve, which cannot be carried out with a float.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

An objective of the invention is to minimise the volume of fluid which is conveyed via the discharge vent, whilst assuring rapid closure and re-opening of the discharge locking valve.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In order to achieve this objective, according to the invention a controlled discharge device is proposed which is associated with a device for distribution under pressure of fluid in a container, the controlled discharge device comprising:

-   -   a discharge vent which opens out firstly into an area for         distribution of pressurised fluid, and secondly into a closed         enclosure with an upper wall comprising a discharge aperture         which is surrounded by an upper seat for a discharge locking         valve;     -   a discharge locking valve which is arranged in the enclosure         below the upper seat of the discharge locking valve, and is         controlled by a level of fluid in the discharge vent, wherein         the discharge locking valve comprises a weighty valve which is         fitted such as to slide between a high position and a low         position in a discharge locking valve guide comprising a guide         duct with a lower end which communicates with the discharge         vent, and an upper end which is coaxial to the upper seat of the         discharge locking valve, and the discharge locking valve is         fitted in the guide duct with play which creates a loss of load         sufficient for the discharge locking valve to be thrust back in         the manner of a piston by fluid which penetrates into the         enclosure via the discharge vent.

Thus, the closure force depends mainly on the difference in pressure between the distribution pressure and the pressure beyond the discharge locking valve. The discharge locking valve can therefore have small dimensions, such that the quantity of fluid which is conveyed via the discharge vent is low. In addition, as soon as the container is cleared, the pressure drops in the discharge vent, such that the discharge locking valve is no longer pressed against its seat, and therefore drops back instantaneously.

According to an advantageous version of the invention, the device comprises a short-circuit duct which extends in parallel with the guide duct, and has a lower end which opens out below the discharge locking valve and an upper end which opens out above the discharge locking valve, when the latter is in the low position. Thus, as soon as the discharge locking valve leaves its seat, an air intake is established above the fluid which is contained in the discharge vent, such that the fluid which is contained in the discharge vent flows very rapidly into the container, thus making it possible to increase the filling rate.

According to another advantageous aspect of the invention, the short-circuit duct has a volume which is larger than a volume swept by the discharge locking valve between the low position and the high position. The short-circuit duct then acts as a buffer volume, and guarantees closure of the discharge locking valve before fluid reaches the discharge locking valve seat.

According to yet another advantageous aspect of the invention, the short-circuit duct is delimited by a notch in a side of the discharge locking valve guide, and a lateral wall of the enclosure. Thus, the friction forces on the walls of the short-circuit duct are minimised, and emptying of the discharge vent is further accelerated.

According to another aspect of the invention, the device comprises a calibrated valve which is fitted between the discharge locking valve and the aperture for dispelling into the open air. Preferably, the discharge vent is connected to an aperture for introduction of fluid, which aperture is equipped with a non-return valve. It is thus possible to condition gaseous fluids by establishing a counter-pressure in the container, or to condition flat fluids which are sensitive to oxygen by injecting a neutral gas into the container before it is filled.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will become apparent from reading the following description of a non-limiting preferred embodiment of the controlled discharge device according to the invention, with reference to the appended figures, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic lateral view of a filling carousel equipped with filling spouts according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a highly enlarged view in cross-section of the box A in FIG. 1, according to the line II-II in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a highly enlarged view in cross-section of the box B in FIG. 1, according to the line in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view in perspective of the discharge locking valve guide according to the invention; and

FIG. 5 is a further enlarged view of the box C in FIG. 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

With reference to FIG. 1, the filling carousel according to the invention comprises an annular supply manifold 1 which is supplied with pressurised fluid by radial ducts 2, which have one end connected to the supply manifold 1, and an opposite end connected to a rotary seal 3 which assures a connection with a source of supply of pressurised fluid symbolised by a pump 4 which is associated with a storage tank 5. As illustrated by FIG. 2, the manifold 1 is formed by an annular groove 6 which is provided in a plate 7, and is closed by an annular cover 8 which is suitably secured to the plate 7 by bolts, not represented, which extend into bores 9, the sealing between the plate 7 and the cover 8 being assured by O-ring seals 10 and 11. Filling spouts 12 are suspended below the plate 7. Each filling spout 12 comprises a spout body 13, through which there passes a vertical hole 14 comprising in its lower part a set-back 15 in which there is fitted an annular seal 16 forming an annular connection part which is configured so as to provide a sealed support together with a container neck 17.

A distribution duct which is formed by a straight pipe 18 is fitted in the hole 14, and is retained in place by an O-ring seal 19 which is compressed by a screwed bush 20. The lower end of the distribution duct 18 extends into the interior of the container, in which it defines a distribution area 21. The upper end 22 of the distribution duct 18 is secured below the plate 7, and is connected to the supply manifold 1 via a bore 23, by means of a distribution valve 24. In the embodiment illustrated, the distribution valve 24 comprises a ball 25 supported on a bowl 26 which is fitted in a sealed manner through the distribution duct 18, and comprises a distribution aperture 27 with a diameter which is smaller than that of the ball 25. The ball 25 is manoeuvred by a magnetic actuator comprising a finger 28 which is supported by a cylindrical magnetic armature 29 arranged in the interior of the distribution duct 18, and the position of which is determined by a magnetic ring 30 which is fitted such as to be axially mobile relative to the distribution duct 18, and surrounding the latter at the level of the magnetic armature 29. The position of the magnetic ring is determined by a manoeuvring unit, in this case comprising a roller 31 which is secured to the magnetic ring 30, and co-operates with a guide cam 32. The finger 28 extends coaxially to the distribution aperture 27 in the bowl 26, such that, depending on the axial movements of the magnetic armature 29, the ball 25 is either supported on the edge of the distribution aperture 27 in order to assure closure of the supply duct 18, or is spaced from this position by the finger 28, such that pressurised fluid can flow through the distribution aperture 27 into the distribution duct 18.

In its lower part, the hole 14 comprises a set-back 33 in which there is fitted a pipe 34 which extends coaxially to the distribution duct 18, whilst being spaced from the latter, and extends downwards as far as the vicinity of the lower end of the distribution duct 18. At its upper end, the pipe 34 is pierced by an aperture 35 which coincides with a bore 36 in the body of the spout 13. The pipe 34 and the bore 36 thus define a part of a discharge vent, the upper end of which opens out into a discharge control unit 37.

In the embodiment illustrated, the discharge control unit 37 comprises a body 38 comprising a longitudinal bore 39. At its lower end, the bore 39 opens out into a hole 44 with a larger diameter than the bore 39, such that the set-back between the bore 39 and the hole 44 defines an upper seat 45 for a weighty valve, which in this case is formed by a steel ball 46. According to the invention, a weighty valve means a valve with a density which is sufficient for it not to be able to be supported by the fluid to be conditioned. The ball 46 is fitted in a discharge locking valve guide, which in this case is formed by a bush 47 with a cylindrical lateral wall 48 with the same diameter as the hole 44, provided with an annular collar 49 with dimensions which are identical to a set-back 50 in the hole 48, such that, after the bush 47 has been forced into the body 38 and secured on the body 13 by means not represented, the bush 47 is fitted in a sealed manner in the body 38, and is applied in a sealed manner on the block 13. The bush 47 thus delimits together with the hole 48 a closed enclosure 67 which is provided with a discharge aperture 45.

The bush 47 comprises a central bore 51 which is coaxial to the bore 39 in the body 38, and has the same diameter as the latter. The lower end of the bore 51 coincides with the upper end of the bore 36 in the block 13. Opposite the lower end of the bore 39, the bush 47 comprises an upper bore 52, which is coaxial to the bore 51, thus forming a guide duct for the ball 46, and having a diameter, larger than that of the ball, designed such that the play between the ball 46 and the bore 52 creates a loss of load which is sufficient for the ball 46 to be thrust back in the manner of a piston by fluid which arrives via the bore 36. In practice, play of 0.5 tenth of a mm to one tenth of a mm is satisfactory. The set-back between the bore 51 and the hole 52 defines a lower seat 55 for the ball 46. Preferably, the lower seat 55 is at a distance from the upper seat such that the course d of the ball 46 between the low position represented in a continuous line in FIG. 5, and the high position represented in a broken line, is at most equal to the radius of the ball 46.

In addition, the bush 47 comprises a radial bore 54, with the same diameter as the bore 51, associated with a lateral notch 53 with a cross-section larger than the bore 51, in order to delimit together with the lateral wall 48 of the enclosure 67 a short-circuit duct which extends in parallel with the guide duct 52, and has a lower end which opens out below the ball 46, and an upper end which opens out above the ball 46, when the latter is in a position of rest supported on the lower seat 55. Preferably, the short-circuit duct has a volume larger than a volume which is swept by the discharge locking valve between a low position and a high position.

With reference to FIG. 3, the body 38 additionally comprises a bore 56 which is transverse to the bore 39, and is associated with a hole 57 in which a bush 58 is screwed, the central duct 59 of which forms a part of the discharge vent and opens out on the exterior of the body 38, according to an aperture 60 for dispelling into the open air. The hole 57 has a diameter which is larger than the bore 56, and the set-back thus created forms a seat for a ball 61 which is returned towards the latter by a spring 62 which is arranged in the central duct in the bush 58, and the support force of which is determined by the screwing of the bush 58. The bush 58, the ball 61 and the spring 62 thus form a calibrated valve between the discharge aperture 45 and the aperture 60 for dispelling into the open air.

Again with reference to FIG. 3, the upper end of the longitudinal bore 39 is equipped with a unit for injection of pressurised gas, comprising a bush 40 in which a non-return valve 41 is fitted. The bush 40 is connected to a source of pressurised gas such as a nitrogen cylinder 42, by means of a valve 43, the position of which is controlled by a manoeuvring unit such as a roller associated with a cam, not represented.

In addition, the filling spout according to the invention comprises a connection duct 63 which opens out firstly into the distribution duct 18, and secondly into the bore 39. A valve 64 is fitted on the connection duct 63, and its position is determined by a control unit such as a roller 65 which is associated with a retractable cam 66.

The device thus described is used to implement the method according to the invention as previously described. The calibrated valve 61 is firstly regulated in order to close the discharge vent according to calibration to the maximum discharge pressure which is to be reached in the container during the filling, this calibration pressure naturally being below the distribution pressure. A container to be filled is placed supported on the annular connection part. If necessary according to the filling conditions required, a gas at a pressure which is at the most equal to the discharge pressure is injected into the discharge vent. In this respect it will be noted that because of its weight, the discharge locking valve 46 is normally supported on the lower seat 55. In addition, because of the existence of the short-circuit duct 53 and the difference in dimensions between the bore 51 and the hole 52, the discharge locking valve is pressed against the lower seat 55 with a force which is all the greater, the higher the pressure is in the discharge vent.

The distribution valve is then opened, and the fluid then flows into the container at a rate which depends on the difference between the distribution pressure and the pressure in the container. When the fluid reaches the lower end of the pipe 34, as illustrated in FIG. 3, the fluid rises in the discharge vent. When it reaches the bush 47, the fluid rises simultaneously in the bore 51 and in the short-circuit duct 53, but because of the difference in volume between the short-circuit duct and the bore 51, the fluid rises faster in the bore 51 than in the short-circuit duct, such that the discharge locking valve is thrust against the upper seat 45 before the fluid reaches it via the short-circuit duct. When the discharge vent is closed by the discharge locking valve 46, the fluid ceases to flow in the container. The distribution valve 24 is then closed, and the container is lowered in order to release it from the seal 16. The neck of the container is thus put into contact with the open air and because of the pressurised gas trapped between the calibrated valve 61 and the discharge locking valve 46, the latter is thrust suddenly downwards, and the fluid which is contained in the discharge vent is expelled towards the container.

It will be appreciated that the invention is not limited to the embodiment described, and variations can be applied to it without departing from the context of the invention as defined by the claims.

In particular, although the invention has been illustrated with a discharge locking valve in the form of a steel ball, it is possible to use a discharge locking valve made of another material, for example ceramic, or to use a discharge locking valve with another form, for example a frusto-conical form, or to use a discharge locking valve comprising a plurality of parts which are connected to one another, with one part being used to close the discharge aperture in a sealed manner, whereas another part acts as a manoeuvring unit.

Although the invention has been illustrated in relation to a device comprising a calibrated valve fitted between the discharge locking valve and the aperture for dispelling into the open air, and a unit for introduction of fluid equipped with a non-return valve connected to the discharge vent, which makes it possible to condition gaseous fluids or flat fluids which are sensitive to oxygen, the discharge locking valve can open out directly into the open air for the conditioning of flat fluids at a fast pace.

Although the invention has been illustrated with a short-circuit duct which opens out below the discharge locking valve via a bore with the same dimensions as the bore below the discharge locking valve, it is possible to put the short-circuit duct into connection with the discharge vent by means of a smaller aperture, which creates a greater loss of load, thus slowing down the rising of the fluid in the short-circuit duct, and makes it possible to reduce the dimensions of the short-circuit duct, and therefore to reduce the quantity of fluid which is conveyed via the discharge vent, however the return of the fluid towards the container will also be slowed down. The dimensions of each component will thus be determined according to the priorities which are specific to each case. 

1. A controlled discharge device which is associated with a device for distribution under pressure of fluid in a container, the controlled discharge device comprising: a discharge vent which opens out firstly into an area for distribution of pressurised fluid, and secondly into a closed enclosure with an upper wall comprising a discharge aperture which is surrounded by an upper seat for a discharge locking valve; a discharge locking valve which is arranged in the enclosure below the upper seat of the discharge locking valve, and is controlled by a level of fluid in the discharge vent, wherein the discharge locking valve comprises a weighty valve which is fitted such as to slide between a high position and a low position in a discharge locking valve guide comprising a guide duct with a lower end which communicates with the discharge vent, and an upper end which is coaxial to the upper seat of the discharge locking valve, and in that the discharge locking valve is fitted in the guide duct with play which creates a loss of load sufficient for the discharge locking valve to be thrust back in the manner of a piston by fluid which penetrates into the enclosure via the discharge vent.
 2. The device according to claim 1, further comprising a short-circuit duct which extends in parallel with the guide duct, and has a lower end which opens out below the discharge locking valve and an upper end which opens out above the discharge locking valve, when the latter is in the low position.
 3. The device according to claim 2, wherein the short-circuit duct has a volume which is larger than a volume swept by the discharge locking valve between the low position and the high position.
 4. The device according to claim 2, wherein the short-circuit duct is delimited by a notch in a side of the discharge locking valve guide, and a lateral wall of the enclosure.
 5. The device according to claim 1, wherein the discharge locking valve comprises a ball, and the guide duct comprises a bore with a diameter larger than that of the ball.
 6. The device according to claim 5, wherein the discharge locking valve guide comprises a bore which is coaxial to the guide duct, extending below the guide duct and delimiting together with the latter a lower seat for the discharge locking valve.
 7. The device according to claim 2, wherein the short-circuit duct opens out below the lower seat of the discharge locking valve according to a bore with a diameter which is at the most equal to the diameter of the lower seat.
 8. The device according to claim 5, wherein the ball has a course (d) which is smaller than a radius of the ball.
 9. The device according to claim 1, further comprising a calibrated valve which is fitted between the discharge locking valve and the aperture for dispelling into the open air.
 10. The device according to claim 9, wherein the discharge vent is connected to an aperture for introduction of fluid, which aperture is equipped with a non-return valve.
 11. The device according to claim 6, wherein the short-circuit duct opens out below the lower seat of the discharge locking valve according to a bore with a diameter which is at the most equal to the diameter of the lower seat. 